Target throwing machine



sept. 22, "1953 G. H. DARRELL 652,820

TARGET THROWING MACHINE sept. 22, 1953 G. H. DARRELL TARGET THRowINGMACHINE 7 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Jan. 10, 1950 Sept. 22, 1953 G. H.DARRELL TARGET THRowING MACHINE- 7 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed Jan. 10,' 1950.l l (lili.

QN NY RY Sept. 22, 1953 G. H. DARRELL 2,652,320

TARGET THROWING MACHINE Filed Jan. 1o, 195o 7 sheets-sheet 4 Sept. 22,1953 I G, H, DARRELL 2,652,820

V TARGET THRowING MACHINE Filed Jan. 10, 1950 i '7 Sheets-Sheet 5 T* ff?"19a i f/ 64 jj? f/ 94 a /j' L tf1 14.941 l"' Sept. 22, 1953 G. H.DARRELL 2,652,820

TARGET THROWING MACHINE Filed Jan. 1o, 195o 7 sheets-sheet e Sept. 22,1953 G. H. DARRELL TARGET THROWING MACHINE '7 Sheets-SheetI '7 FiledJan. 10, 1950 Jildeuk' Patented Sept. 22, 1953 TARGET THROWING MACHINEGeorge H. Darrell, Dedham, Mass., assignor to Remington Arms Company,Inc., Bridgeport, Conn., a corporation of Delaware Application January10, 1950, Serial No. 137,741

Claims.

This invention relates to target throwing traps and more particularly topower operated traps of the type wherein targets are automatically fedfrom a magazine to a throwing arm. A trap of this kind is described inthe inventors Patent No. 2,531,613, issued November 28, 1950, and thepresent inventions are to a considerable extent improvements on thepatented trap.

Objects of this invention are to provide a target throwing trap which isautomatic in operation, which operates rapidly and smoothly, which doesnot jam, which keeps target breakage to a minimum, which operates with aminimum of vibration and shock, which does not require a permanent base,which has provision for adjustment of the flight angle of the targets,which is simple and rugged in construction, and which advances the artof target throwing generally.

,In one aspect the invention contemplates a target trap comprising apivotally mounted throwing arm which is moved by one or more main powersprings from a set position, wherein the targets to be thrown aresuccessively placed either directly upon the arm or upon a carrier plateassociated therewith, toa target releasingposition. The throwing arm isrestrained in the set position by locking means until tripped preferablyby means operated by the power source which also supplies the power forthe remaining elements .of the trap, .so that the main power springsrapidly rotate the throwing arm to the target releasing position. Toreduce the vibration and shock to a minimum, the varm is decelerated .bya brake after it moves by the target releasing position. The powersource, which is preferably an electric motor, drives timed means fortiming the sequence rof operation of the various elements of the trapduring the operating cycle. After the throwing arm or carrier has beenstopped by the brake, the power-actuated timed means or powertransmitting assembly releases the spring loading means, to enable thereturn of the vcarrier without stressing the power springs. Thereafter,the power transmitting assembly acts .to str-ess or cock the power.springs land to effect the delivery of a target from the magazine tothe carrier.

In a further aspect the timed means comprises a plurality o'f cammedsurfaces selectively coupled to the motor by means of a clutch whichupon engagement vcauses the cammed surfaces to complete one operatingcycle before releasing. During this operating cycle one of the lcammedsurfaces releases the spring loading means after the arm has been moved`to the target releasing position so that a second cammed surface canoperate a lever to return the throwing arm to the set position whereinthe arm is restrained by the locking means, for example a detent, as athird cammed surface operates the gripping means of the target magazine.The first cammed surface then operates the spring loading means to exerta loading force upon the main springs. Because of the large forceexerted by the main springs, the detent locking the arm in the setposition is preferably tripped by power operated means for example by anger moved by an element of the timed means.

In another aspect the lthrowing arm has a rail extending along one sidethereof as a guide for the target as it is thrown. One end of the armhas a hollow sleeve which surrounds a shaft projecting from the frame ofthe trap in a substantially vertical vdirection so `that the `arm canpivot between the set vposition and the target releasing position. Aspring biased finger is pivotally connected to the arm adjacent thesleeve so that a cammed surface moves the linger from under the bottomtarget in the magazine when the arm is in the set position vand thegripping means lowered to place a target upon the arm, the finger beingreleased upon raising of the gripping means to force the target againstthe rail so that the target has a spinning motion imparted thereto b ythe rail upon movement of the `arm to the target releasing position.

In one Specific aspect the brake comprises a brake drum secured to thesleeve of the throwing arm and having a braking surface surrounded by abrake band having one end secured to the frame. The other end of thebrake band is fastened to one arm of a bell crank which is pivotallyconnected to the frame. A spring is provided to urge the bell crank insuch a direction as to tighten the band upon the brake surface thusapplying the brake. A second arm of the bell crank bears against acammed surface carried by the brake drum. This cammed surface isarranged to maintain the bell crank against the force of the spring insuch position that the brake is released as the throwing arm moves tothe target releasing position whereupon the cammed surface permits thecrank to move to tighten the band gradually thus decelerating the armafter it has proceeded beyond the target releasing position.

In a further specific aspect the target magazine includes gripping meanshaving a stationary jaw and a pivotally mounted movable jaw' oppositelydisposed to grip the bottom target of a stack held by the magazine. Thestationary jaw is normally held by the upper end of a supporting memberso that the stack is out of the path of the throwing arm. The arm of themember is also pivotally connected to the movable jaw in such a manneras to keep the jaw closed thereby to support the stack of targets.During the portion of the operating cycle in which the target isdeposited upon the throwing arm (or associated carrier plate), thesupporting member is moved downwardly by a linkage which is operated bythe timed means thereby to lower the target stack. When the bottomtarget is adjacent the throwing arm, the stationary jaw contacts a stopso that further travel of the linkage moves the supporting member toopen the movable jaw thus depositing the target stack upon the arm. The

return movement of the linkage closes the movable jaw upon the next tothe bottom target and then raises the stack out of the path of the arm.

Further objects will be apparent from a consideration of the followingdescription and the accompanying drawings, wherein: Fig. 1 is a sideelevation View of the target throwing trap in the set or cockedposition;

Fig. 2 is an end elevation view of the trap shown in Fig. l;

Fig. 3 is a plan view of the trap shown in Fig. 1;

Fig. 4 is a sectional View on line 4 4 of Fig. 1 with the gear box coverremoved;

Fig. 5 is a partial sectional view on line 5-5 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 6 is a sectional view on line 6-6 of Fig. 5;

Fig. 7 is a partial sectional View on line 1 -'I of Fig. 1;

Fig. 8 is a partial sectional View on line 8-8 of Fig. 1';

Fig. 9 is a fragmentary sectional View showing the details of the brakeoperating mechanism;

Fig. 10 is a fragmentary View showing the details of the finger forpositioning the targets upon the throwing arm;

Fig. 1l is a fragmentary View showing the target magazine lowered andthe gripper jaw open to deposit the bottom target upon the throwing arm;

Fig. 12 is a fragmentary view showing the target magazine raised and thegripper jaw closed on the next to the bottom target of the stack;

Fig. 13 is a fragmentary view showing the der tails of the latch forrestraining the throwing arm in the set position; and

Fig. 14 illustrates a target or bird of the type thrown by the trap.

Referring to Figs. 1 and 2, the target trap chosen for the purpose ofillustration comprises a base 23 having two upwardly projecting bosses26 whereupon is pivotally carried a frame 22. Added rigidity for thebosses 26 is provided by a connecting web 2'! (Fig, 2). The pivotalconnection between the bosses 2S and the frame 22 is made` by bolts 24which pass through apertures near the respective ends of the correlatedbosses to engage threaded holes in the bosses 28 and 30 (Fig. 3)projecting from lower portion of the frame.

As is best shown in Figs. 5 and 6 the frame 22 comprises two verticalwalls 32 and 34 joined by a bottoni piece 38 and at their ends by theend pieces 38 and 48 which pieces are preferably cast integrally withthe walls t0 form a gear box having a separate cover 35 (Fig. 1). As isshown in Fig. 3 the boss 38 laterally projects considerably further fromthe wall 34 than the opposing boss 28 projects from the opposite wall 32so that the gear box is offset with respect to the center line of thebase 20. The frame 22 is prevented from pivoting with respect to thebase 20 by inea-ns of a threaded rod 42 (Figs. 1 and 2) the lower end ofwhich engages a threaded aperture near one end of the base being lockedtherein by a nut 44. The rod 42 also carries two other nuts 4S whichengage respectively the curvilinear top and bottom surfaces of a nger 48which projects laterally from the wall 34 near the bottom of the gearbox. As will appear later, movement of the nuts 48 along the rod 42changes the angular relationship between the frame 22 and the base 28and thereby the angle of elevation at which the targets are thrown bythe trap.

Additional lateral stability is provided by two bosses 58 which arespaced at the same lateral distance as the bosses 28. Connection betweenthe bosses 5G and the frame 22 is made by the bolts 52 which passthrough the slotted apertures 54 in the bosses so that they do notinterfere with the pivotal action of the frame. The threaded portions ofthe bolts 52 engage the respective ends of a shaft 58 (Figs. 3 and 6)which extends through the gear box. A hub 58 of a dual lever 88, whosefunction will be described hereinafter surround the portion of the shaft56 extending beyond the gear box thereby to act as a spacer between thewall 34 and the corresponding boss 58, so that the shaft provides afulcrum for the lever.

Power for operating the trap is supplied from a power source such as theelectric motor M which is bolted to the end 40 of the gear box as isshown in Fig. 5. The output shaft `of the motor M is provided with aV-pulley 52 which is coupled to a large sheave 34 by means of a V-beltB5. The sheave 54 is carried upon the projecting end of a shaft 38 whichis journaled in the ball bearings 'E8 (Fig. 4) fitted in bosses in thegear box walls 32 and 34. The shaft 88 also carries a pinion 'I2 (seealso Fig. 5) engaging a gear 14 upon a shaft 15. The ends of the shaft15 are journaled in bearings secured in the walls 32 and 34 of the gearbox. A second pinion 18 (Fig. 5) is also secured to the shaft 'i6 whichpinion engages a large gear 80. The gear is carried upon, but notsecured to a shaft 82 one end of which is journaled in a ball bearing 84(Fig. 6) secured in the gear box wall 32. The opposite end of the shaft32 is journaled in a ball bearing 86 held in the end of a hollow boss 88extending from the wall 34 so that the overhang of a cam 90, whosefunctions and details of construction will be described in detailhereinafter, carried upon the projecting end of the shaft is reduced toa minimum. The cam 98 is secured to the shaft 82 by means of a pin suchas the bolt 9i which passes through aligned apertures in the shaft andthe hub of the cam.

Also carried by the shaft 82 is a ratchet wheel 92 having a series ofindentations upon its periphery. The wheel 32 and the gear 80 are tiedtogether by a spacer 95 so that they are continuously rotated as a unitupon the shaft 82 by the motor M and the speed reducing drive describedheretofore.

The ratchet wheel 32 is one element of a single revolution clutch. Theremainder of the clutch comprises a curved pawl S4 (Fig. 5) pivoted atone end 98 to a restraining cover member 98 which surrounds the pawl sothat its outward travel is limited. A tooth |83 for engaging theindentations of the ratchet wheel 92 projects from the inner surface ofthe pawl 94 substantially midway .betweenathe ends thereof. ipawlf94 isAfurgedinwardly so .that fthetooth .|500

The

rengages one fof .the indentation's of 'the Aratchet pressed fbetweenithefouter surface of .the pawl 94 and the inner :surface oftherestraining imember 68. .The Asidewall |04 of restraining member 98 VisVformed :integrally with a hub |06 fastened 'to .the shaft 82 "bymeansof a bolt |08 so that `when `the tooth y| `engages `the `ratchet Wheel92, `the shaft :.82 is rotated by the motor :M by means of the :speedreducing drive y.described heretofore.

Normally such rotation -of .the 1shaft82 'is prevented by a latch ordetent .||.0 (Fig. 5) which is .pivotally carried fby va shaft |2projecting through the wall132 of the gearbox. A spacer M4 (Fig. 4)positions -the detent ||0 rso that the `end thereof is maintained inv'contact with the `end |f6 (Fig. 5) of the pawl 94 `by a spring |48whicheX-tends between the gear Iboxand the end `of one arm :of a bellycrank fastened `to the @outer fendof the lever. The pawl 94 is released:by an electrical solenoid |22 whose armature `is :coupled 'to the endof the bell crank |20 `by a link .|24 so that -energization of thesolenoid rotates the shaft ||2 to raise the detent |=|'0. From the.foregoing .it will :be .apparent that if vthe solenoid |22 'ismomentarily energized the detent H0 is lifted permitting -the spring |02to force the ytooth ,|00 into -one of the indentations of the ratchetAfter `the upon the outer surface of the pawl restraining ,member 98until it again drops into the path of ithepawl 94 so that the shaft82and -attachedfcam ,90 .complete .a V'single complete revolution therebythrowing one targetas will be-described in detail below. If the solenoidA.|22 is maintained enerfg-ized :the clutch remains in engagement sothat the cam -90 continuously repeats the throwing cycle. vIt is alsopossible to re the trap manually, the bell crank |20 .having an arm |26with van 4aperture in the end thereof for attaching a .lanya-rd(notshown) whereby the detent |0 may .be lifted.

The .cam 90 has three cammed surfaces |28, .and |32 (Fig. l) which arethe -timed means by which the sequence of operation of the variouselements of the trap .are controlled. The surface Y|28 ycontrols thespring loading means, the surface |30 operates Ithe target magazine, andthe -surface |32 the mechanism for returning Va throwing arm |34 to aset or cocked position -as will -be .described in `detail below.

The throwing arm |34 comprises a platform |29 (Figs. l and 2) having arail |31 raised along one side of the top thereof by spacers |39. Therail |31 is provided with a buffer strip |4| of yieldable material, suchas rubber, which `bears against the target being thrown so as to impartya spinning motion thereto as the arm |34 fis rotated, as will bedescribed below. One end `of the arm |34 is bolted to a tongue |33 (seealso Fig. 10) which is welded or otherwise attached to a hollow sleeve|36 (Fig. 1) arranged circumjacent a hollow shaft |38 so that the bottomend of the sleeve rests upon a split boss |42 which vacts both as aclamp for securing the shaft |38 and as a thrust bearing for sustainingthe weight of the vcomplete arm assembly. As is best shown in Fig. 4 theboss |42 is carried at the outer end of a triangular web |43 extendinglaterally from the top of the frame 2.2. Upward movement Iof the sleeve|36 is prevented by a collar |35 which is secured tothe shaft 4|3'8immediately above the `tongue |33 `for example kby a pin or setscrew.

Until ktripped'or released, as described below, the arm |34 `isrestrained against the force exerted by three main power :springs bylatching -means such as the detent best illustrated yin Fig. .1.3,.which Ydetent comprises .a finger |46 attached to the 'arm sleeve |36and. 'having a notch -|48 .ifor engaging asimilar notch `|50 .inafla'tchrmember of a v'bell crank |52 which is pivotally .conn'ectedtoan extension |45 (Fig. 8) from the web |543 sof the frame '22 -asat|54. 'To prevent rapid vwear of the notch surfaces, hardened ipins |49and |51 Lare incorporated .in the finger |46 .and the bell crank |52respectively. The other Varm |556 ofthe bell crank |52 Vhas a finger |53(Fig. 8) which is engaged by Va projection |51 extending efr-om the4side of the -central portion of the cam 90 which :carries the cammedsurface |28. This :projection |51 is so yoriented that it is adjacentthe :iinger |53 at the end of the arm |56 when the lclutch pawl 94 (Fig.J5) contacts the clutch 4detent H0 -wherebyengaging of theclutchimmediately `moves the bell crank |52 to unlatch the '-throwingarmdetent thus permitting the arm |34 to be yrota-ted to the 'targetreleasing position.

.Power :for rotating `the throwing arm |34 is provided by `the .threehelically wound main springs |54 and |55 as mentioned above. As is best:show-n :in Figs. 1 and '1, the springs |54 and |55 .are compressedbetween two spring seats |58 and |59. The spring seat |58 is connectedtoa cross- -head |60 by means of rods |62 which pass through the springs|55 respectively. One end of each rod |82 is .pinned to a correlated endof the cross- .head |60. The opposite end of each 'rod |62 .passesthrough Van aperture in the seat |58 and is threaded to 'engage the nuts|64. The midpoint of the crosshead |60 is connected to vone vend of achain |6| `the other end of which passes around the rsleeve `|36 of thearm `|34 to connect with a vringer |63 extending radially from thesleeve. The seat |59 is coupled to Aone end of a rod |66 which passesthrough the central spring |54 so that its opposite -end projectsthrough an aligned -aperture in the seat |58. The projecting end of therod |66 also passes through an aperture in the end of the dual springloading lever 63 (Fig. 1) which rod end is threaded -to accom- `modatean adjustable hand nut |168 against which bears the end ofthe springloading lever 60. The nut |68 is locked in adjusted position by means ofacheck Anut `A roller 10 (Fig. 1) is rotatably carried between the ldualarms of the spring loading lever 60 approximately midway between the armyends vso that the roller bears against the cammed surface |28 of thetiming -cam 90. From the fore*- `going it will be evident that with thearm |34 restrained in the set or cocked position by the nger |46, asdescribed heretofore, the movement `of the upper end of the lever 60 tothe `right (as seen in Fig. 1) by the rotation of the cammed surface |28compresses the main power springs |54 and |55 between the seat |53 heldstationary .by .the restrained `throwing arm |34 and the seat |59 movedby the arm 60. The cammed surface |23 is indented as at |12 wherein theroller |10 drops when the main springs are fully loaded at which setposition is correlated with position in kwhich the clutch pawl 94 (Fig.5) is restrained by the detent ||0. The indentation |12 positivelylocates the set position and prevents the large force exerted by thecompressed main ksprings from rotating the timing cam in a reversedirection.

The cammed surface |32 which returns the throwing arm |34 from thetarget releasing position to the set position, bears against aprojection upon a cam following lever arm |24 (Fig. 1) which ispivotally connected to the wall 34 of the gear box as at V56. The leverarm |'a'4 is maintained in Contact with the cammed surface |32 by aspring VES which extends between an aperture in the upper end of the armand a pin |80 projecting outwardly from the gear box wall 34. It will benoted that the end of the pin |89 also acts as a stop for the arm |56(Fig. 4) of the bell crank |52. The end of the lever arm |14 is providedwith a laterally projecting nger |82 (Fig. 2) for engaging acircumferential groove in a block 5.24 slidingly mounted upon a rod |86.A spring |88 is also mounted circumjacently the rod |80 so that one endthereof bears against the sliding block |84 and the opposite end isrestrained by a circular nut |90 which threadingly engages the extendingend of the rod. The opposite end of the rod 86 is connected to one endof a chain |92 whose opposite end is connected to a finger |94 (Fig. 7)extending from the sleeve |36 of the throwing arm |34 so that movementof the lever arm |14 compresses the spring |88 thereby moving the rod|86 and chain |92 to rotate the throwing arm |34 back to the setposition.

The third cammed surface |30 operates the target feeding magazinethrough a linkage including an offset lever |98 (Fig. 1) which ispivotally connected as at |98 to the wall 34 of the gear box. One end ofthe lever |96 carries a roller 200 which bears against the cammedsurface |30. The other end of the lever |93 is pivotally secured to atubular piece 202 having internal threads which engage the threaded endof a push rod 284. A check nut 20B prevents relative movement betweenthe rod 204 and the tubular piece 202. The push rod 204 extendsupwardly7 through the hollow shaft |38 (Fig. 1) which acts as a pivotfor the throwing arm as described heretofore.

The bottom end of the shaft |38 is pinched in the aperture in the splitboss |42 by the cap screws 201. The upper end of the shaft |38 hassecured thereto a support member 208 (Figs. 1 and 3) the extending endof which is bifurcated having two laterally extending circular arms 2|0L at the end of each of which is bolted respectively a vertical guidestrip 2| A similar guide strip 2|2 is bolted to the junction of the twocircular arms 2|@ which have such a radius that the strips 2|| and 2|2provide three equally spaced guides for a stack of targets similar tothe target T shown in Fig. 14. Additional support for the guides 2|| and2|2 is provided by the similarly shaped arms 2|4 (Fig. 1) of an uppersupport member.

The shaft |39 also slidably supports the gripping means for the targetstack which means comprises a movable jaw 2|6 and a relativleystationary jaw 2|8. The stationary jaw 2|8 includes two bosses 220 and222 having axially aligned apertures which slidably engage the outersurface of the hollow shaft |38. The bosses 220 and 222 are connected bya U-shaped member 224 whose lower corner carries two yieldable gripperrolls 226 made for example of rubber. The movable jaw 2 I9 is alsoU-shaped and supports similar gripper rolls 228 upon the cross piecethereof as is best shown in Fig. 2. The ends of the legs of the movablejaw are pivotally supported from curvilinear arms 230 which extend fiofrom the opposite sides respectively of the U- shaped member 224 of thestationary jaw 2|8. The movable jaw 2lb` is rotated with respect to thestationary jaw 2|8 by means of an arm 232 one end of which is integrallyattached to one leg of the movable jaw. The arm 232 is curvilinear andprovided with an oiTset, as is shown in Figs. l and 3, so that theopposite end thereof is adjacent the portion of the shaft |38 situatedbetween the bosses 220 and 222 of the stationary jaw 2&8. The jaws 2|6and 2|8 are biased to open the gripper rolls 22e` and 228 by a spring234 the ends of which are connected respectively to the arm 238 and themember 224.

A pin 236 projects laterally from the end of the arm 232 through aslotted aperture 238 in the wall of the hollow shaft |38 so that the endof the push rod 294 contacts such pin. The sta.- tionary jaw 2 i3 isbiased downwardly by a spring 248 arranged about the shaft |38 betweenthe bottom of the support member 208 and the top of the boss 229. Thedownward movement of the stationary jaw is limited by a threaded pin 242engaging a threaded aperture in the boss 220 so that its lower endcontacts the upper surface of the end of the arm 232.

From the foregoing it will be evident that the raised portion of thecammed surface |30 will elevate the push rod 204 to hold the gripperjaws 2|@ and 2|?. normally closed in an elevated position so that theygrasp the bottom target thus holding the stack out of the path of thethrowing arm |34. After the arm |34 has been returned to the setposition by the cammed surface E32 as has been described in detailheretofore, the cammed surface |30 moves the lever |96 to graduallylower the push rod 204 thus lowering the entire gripping means until thebottom target Ti (Fig. 11) of the stack is adjacent the top of thethrowing arm. In this position the boss 222 of the stationary jaw 2|8rests upon the collar |35. Further downward movement of the push rod 294permits the spring 234 to rotate the movable jaw 2|6 about the pivotalconnection with the arms 230 so that the gripper rollsV 226 and 228 dropthe stack upon the arm |34 as is shown in Fig. 11. The cammed surface|30 then raises the push rod 204 thereby closing the gripper rolls 225and 228 upon the next to the bottom target T2. Further upward movementof the push rod 204 causes the arm 232 to contact the pin 242 therebyraising the gripping means and stack of targets out of the path of thearm |34 as is shown in Fig. 12.

The lower stationary jaw boss 222 is provided with a vertically arrangedpin 244. As the gripping means descend to deposit a target upon the arm|34 as described above, the lower end of the pin 244 contacts a bent tab246 (Fig. l0) carried upon a finger 249. The nger is pivotally fastenedto the arm tongue |33 by means of a bolt 250 and biased inwardly by aspring 252 the ends of which are connected to a pin projecting upwardfrom the throwing arm platform |29 and the finger 248 respectively sothat contacting of the bent tab 249 by the pin 244, as the target stackdescends, moves the nger out of the path thereof. The outward movementof the finger 248 is limited by a tail portion 254 which bears againstthe side of the collar |35. After the target T| has been deposited uponthe throwing arm as described heretofore, the finger 248 is released bythe pin 244 upon the elevating of the target stack whereupon the forceof the spring 252 moves the finger 248 inwardly so that the hooked end256 thereof; forces the target Tl. into engagement with theV throwingarm rail |.31-. The hooked; end 256 also restrains the target until thearm- |34 has been` accelerated sufciently so that centrifugal forceholds the target against the rail |31 whereupon the nger- 248 is movedoutwardly to releasethetarget. Such movement is accomplished by arol-ler 258 attached. tov the finger |46 so asA to be adjacent acutaway: sector 259I of the collar when thev arm4 |34 is inthe setposition and which ridesv up onto the outer circumference of theA collaras the arm is. moved towards the target releasing. position.v

After the arm4 |34 has passed the target releasing position it isdecelerated graduallyy to avoid shock and` vibration thus reducing the.wear and tear.' upon the trap and eliminating the. necessity of securingthev trap to a permanent base. Such deceleration is accomplished` by abrake comprising a brakev band 263.V (Fig. 1) arranged circumjacent thebrake surface of a brake drum |46 which is fastened to the end of thethrowing arm sleeve |38 immediately above the boss |42. As is best shownin Fig. 8, one end of the brake band 266v is riveted to a fastener 26|which. en'-i metal straps 264 having aligned aperturesv inthe extendingends` thereof through which passes a bolt 265 securing an eyebolt 266.The threaded end of the eyebolt 266 engages an aperture in a verticalnger atthe end of' one of.v the` arms 266 of a bell crank 216 beingsecured. therein by nuts 212. The bell crank 216 isv pivotally mountedupon4 the pin |54 which also. carries the bell crank |52 for releasingthe throwing arm detent, as described in detail heretofore.

As is shown in Fig. 9, the bell crank 216. has an arm 214 which contactsa cammed surface 216 which is an integral part of the drum |46 beinglocated immediately below the brake surface thereof. Ihe end of the arm214 is maintained in Contact with the surface 216 by a spring 2 18located. circumjacent a threaded pin 286 extending from the sidewall 34of the frame 22irnmediately below the stop |86 (Fig. l). One end of thespring 218 bears against a knurled nut 262.` The other end of the spring216 contacts the bifurcated arm 284 ofthe crank 216 so that the crank isurged in a counterclockwise direction as viewed from the top. The cammedsurface 2161 arranged so that thel contactingarm 214 is forced outwardlyagainst the force exerted by the spring 218 thereby releasing the brakeband 266 during the travel of the throwing arm from the set position tothe target releasing position. As the target releasing position isreached the end of the arm 214 is in contact with the declivous portion286 (Fig. 9) of the cammed surface 216 so that the spring is permittedto rotate the bell crank 210 thus gradually tightening the brake band266 to bring the throwing arm |24 to rest without shock or vibration.

The above described automatic trap is very simple in operation. 'I'hetarget magazine is loaded with a stack of targets with the bottom targetheld by the gripper rolls 226 and 228. The motor M is connected to aconventional power source (not shown) thereby continuously rotating theclutch ratchet wheel 92 (Fig. 5) by means of the speed reducing gear andbelt drive described above. The trap is cocked by momentarily energizingthe solenoid |22 from the power source by means ofa switch (not shown.)preferably of the conventional push buttonA type. Energization of thesolenoid |22 lifts the detent I6 thuspermittingthe shaft 82 and theattached tim-ing cam 86y to make one completerevolution. Duringapproximately the rst 166 degrees of revolution the spring loading lever66 is moved byl the cammed surface |28 first to release. and thenAgradually to` load the main. power springs |54 and |55A so that thethrowing arm |34` is cocked. As` the spring loading operation isbeingcompleted the cammed surface |38 moves the push rod 264 therebylowering the gripping means to deposit the lowermost target ofA thestack upon the throwing arm |34, the. target being restrained` by thenger 248 as described heretofore. This operation is completed and thestack raised out of thepath of the throwing arm |2341! before therotation of the cam Qllis stopped after onecomplete revolution by thedetent I 6.

Upon completion of the above operations, the trap is loaded and cocked`so that it is prepared tor throw the target upon the throwing arm. |34.The trap is fired by momentarily energizing the solenoid |22 a secondtime so that the timed cam 86 makes a second complete revolution. As thecam 6|)I starts to rotate, the projection |51 on the side of the camcontacts the nger |53 at the end of the arm |56 to release the detent|46 so that the throwing arm |34v is moved from the set position to thetarget releasing position by the main springs |54 and |55. During suchmovement the target is released by the nger 248, the target beingsubsequently held against the rail |31 by centrifugal force until it isthrown off the end of the arm withk a spinning motion which is impartedthereto by the rail so that the target flies true.

After the target is released the throwing arm |34 is graduallydecelerated to a stop by the brake drum |46 whereupon the cammed surface|32 moves the reset lever |14 to return the throwing arm |34 to the setposition. The cammed surl faces |28 andv |36 then load the main springs|54 and |55 and deposit another target on the throwingarm |34, asdescribed above, so that the trap is again loaded and cocked. Succeedingtargets are thrown by successively momentarily energize ing thesolenoidv |22 to repeat the above operating cycle. If the solenoid |22is continuously saggiare-f., the ,detent il is* lifieeutfif rath gf theP2M/1 9.4 sa that the Cem 90. rotates 011: tinuously therebythrowingsucceeding targets as rapidly as the trap can complete its operatingcycle.

It should be understood that the present disclosure is for the purposeof illustration only and that this invention includes all modificationsand equivalents which fall within the scope of the appended claims.

I claim:

1. A target trap comprising a main frame having a target carrierrotatably held thereon, spring means for causing said carrier to performa target throwing movement from a cocked position to a fired position;said spring means comprising a plurality of spring guide rods, acrosshead joining end portions of said guide rods, a connection fromsaid crosshead to said carrier, a plate forming a spring powertransmitting seat and joining said guide rods adjacent the ends thereofremote from said crosshead, a spring abutment movably held on said guiderods, and a plurality of power springs held on said guide rodsrespectively between said abutment and said plate.

2. Apparatus according to claim 1, comprising means for retaining saidspring abutment in nXed position during the throwing movement of saidcarrier.

3. Apparatus according to claim 2, comprising means for restoring saidcarrier to cocked position and means for releasing said abutment fromsaid retaining means as the carrier completes its target throwingmovement, thus enabling displacement of said abutment by thrusttransmitted thereto by said springs during the return oi said carrier tococked position.

4. Apparatus according to claim 3, comprising means for moving saidabutment relative to said plate to stress said springs after saidcarrier has been restored to cocked position.

5. Apparatus according to claim 4, in which said abutment moving meanscomprises a rod joined to said abutment, said rod passing through anaperture in said plate and being provided with a head engaged by a powerdriven operator.

6. The combination with a target throwing trap comprising a main frame,a target carrier pivoted in said main frame, a power spring assembly forcausing said carrier to move from a cocked position to a red position;of means for stopping the throwing movement of said carrier adjacentiired position without substantial resistance to the return movement ofsaid carrier, said means comprising a brake drum and a cam mounted forrotational movement with said carrier, a brake band adapted to engagesaid brake drum, a pivoted member joined to said brake band andcomprising a follower for said cam, and a spring acting on said pivotedmember to hold said cam follower in contact with said cam and whenpermitted by the contour of said cam to engage said brake band with saidbrake drum.

7. In a target throwing trap comprising a main frame, a target carrierpivoted in said main frame, a power spring assembly comprising a movablespring abutment and a plurality of power springs engaging said abutmentand causing said carrier to perform a target throwing movement from acocked position to a fired position, a latch device for retaining saidcarrier in cocked position, means for actuating said latch device tofree said carrier, a friction brake for stopping said carrier in redposition without substantial resistance to return movement of saidcarrier, a target holding magazine, and means for delivering targets oneat a' time from said magazine to said carrier; the combination com-Vprising a source of power; a power transmitting assembly; clutch devicesfor coupling said power transmitting assembly to said source of power;means for actuating said latch to release said carrier for targetthrowing movement, means for actuating said brake to stop the throwingmovement of said carrier, means for eirecting the displacement of saidabutment to enable return of said carrier 'without stressing said powersprings, means for returning said carrier to cocked position, means forreturning said abutment to stress said power springs, and means foractuating said target delivery means to effect delivery of a target fromsaid magazine to said carrier; said power transmitting assemblycomprising elements for actuating each of said means in the recitedsequence.

8. Apparatus according to claim '7, comprising a iinger adapted tocomplete the movement of a target into throwing position on saidcarrier, means urging said linger into engagement with a target asdelivered from said magazine, and means associated with said magazinefor restraining said nger from such movement during the delivery of atarget and freeing said iinger as target delivery is completed.

9. Apparatus according to claim 7, in which said carrier pivot comprisesa hollow boss and said target delivery means comprises a thrust rodextending upwardly through said hollow boss.

10. Apparatus according to claim 9, in which said target delivery meanscomprises an assembly or target stack gripping jaws adapted for verticalreciprocating movement, said jaw assembly comprising a jaw iiXed forrectilinear movement and a second jaw mounted on and for movementrelative to said first jaw, and means whereby said relatively movablejaw is engaged by said thrust rod.

GEORGE H. DARRELL.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS NumberName f Date 1,663,780 Spangler Mar. 27, 1928 2,135,603 Roth Nov. 8, 19382,245,258 Darrell June 10, 1941 2,310,746 Parker Feb. 9, 1943 2,531,613Darrell Nov. 28, 1950

